Moses had a problem. He was exhausted. He was managing the affairs and issues of 2-million people. Every problem was brought before Moses for him to judge and render his decision.

In Exodus 18, Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, goes to visit him in the wilderness. While Jethro is impressed at what God has done to free the former slaves, he’s concerned about Moses. He observes Moses sitting from sun-up to sun-down judging over the people’s affairs. When he asks Moses why he does this all by himself, Moses replied:

“Because the people come to me to seek God’s will. Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and laws.” (v 15-16)

Jethro was shocked. He couldn’t believe that Moses was managing so much in so little time. Jethro said the following to Moses:

“What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you and you cannot handle it alone.”

What Jethro advised Moses to do next is what theologians call The Jethro Principle and we can use this advice in our own ministries and businesses.

#1 – Jethro advised Moses to teach others

Moses was the only one who knew the laws that the children of Israel were to live by. So, in the rest of Exodus and based on his fahter-in-law’s advice, Moses documents these laws and shares them with the people.

Put together instructions or an operations manual so people know exactly what to do in your ministry or business. It doesn’t need to be lengthy or time-consuming. Just enough so that people know what to do and how you like it done.

#2 – Jethro advised Moses to appoint others as officials over the people

Jethro instructed Moses to “select capable men from all the people – men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain – and appoint them as officials…have them serve as judges for the people at all times.” (v 21-22) In other words, Jethro advised Moses to delegate.

Hiring help or outsourcing tasks is probably the most scary thing you can do. You wonder if the person will do it with the same excellence as you. But if you want to hear God’s instructions, you have to outsource the things you don’t like to do or that you don’t do well.

#3 – Jethro advised Moses to take on only the most difficult cases

The only things that should be escalated to Moses would be the disputes that the officials could not solve. We find a great example of this in Numbers 36 when the issue of land inheritance for women popped up. It was a unique case that needed Moses’ guidance.

You must give authority to others in your business. For example, my assistants understand that they can solve just about every problem as long as it doesn’t cost me more than $100. As long as they stay within that threshold, they have all authority to solve problems that come through. Only escalate if it’s a unique problem or if solving it will cost more than $100.

What say you?

How can you apply The Jethro Principle to your ministry or business? Do share below.